Missouri women make gains in education, jobs

The Institute for Women's Policy Research in Washington, D.C., released a report Nov. 19 that highlights the status of women in Missouri.

Using data from a variety of sources, The Status of Women in Missouri reveals where Missouri's women stand economically and how Missouri stacks up nationally on reproductive rights, women's political participation, environmental health risks, domestic volence legislation and child support, in addition to other indicators.

Among the findings:

Missouri ranks among the top third of all states for women's labor force participation;

Missouri is one of 15 states to have both a commission for women and a women's caucus in both houses of the state legislature;

Missouri's proportion of women with a college education increased more quickly than the national average between 1990 and 2000 a 10.5 percent gain compared to the national average of 4.2 percent;

Missouri women earn just 73 cents for every dollar earned by men;

Missouri ranks among the worst 10 states for women's mortality rates from heart disease and lung cancer; and

Missouri's poverty rate for single women with children is more than 42 percent, compared with less than 36 percent in the United States.

"While we are very encouraged to see Missouri's women have made significant strides in a number of areas, we still have cause for concern," said Rep. Deleta Williams, member of Missouri's Advisory Committee. "Even with a positive such as the rise in the number of women with a college education, we still find Missouri ranks 35th in the nation in total number of women over 25 with a degree. This is a strong indicator that we have many more strides to take if we hope to better the cause of women here in our state."

Missouri is one of nine states studied in depth by the IWPR for the 2002 edition of Status of Women in the States. This brings the total number of states studied since l946 to 42, plus the District of Columbia. The reports compare quality of life for women in all states studied and include a ranking system for a state-by-state comparison.

"The progress we have made in Missouri has been significant, but the obstacles we have yet to overcome are numerous and substantial," said Dr. Patricia Sobrero, Chair of the Missouri Advisory Committee and Associate Vice President and Associate Director of University Outreach and Extension at the University of Missouri.

"This report gives us a very clear picture of the areas we need to focus on in the years to come. I am confident that with our approach of enabling women through education and information that we can meet the challenges ahead."